Section insulator and switch



H. E. CONRAD.

SECTIONINSULATOR AND SWITCH APPLICATION FILED JULY 15,1920.

INVENTOR Patented Dec..5,1922".

Patented Dec. 5, 1922. I

nanny n. oonnnn, or NEWARK, New Janene.

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Application filed my 15, 1920. SeriaLNo'. 396,516.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY E. CONRAD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Section Insulators and Switches, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to switches and insulating mechanism for trolley wires and the like, and in certain of its features the invention relates to such devices adapted to control the current supply for sections and branches of a trolley circuit system and in certain aspects thereof, it relates more particularly to such devices adapted for use'in coal mines and elsewhere where special conditions are to be met.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned by practice with the invention; the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention,

Of the drawings Fig. l is a top plan of a switch mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, looking at the adjacent side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 83 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the trolley line terminals; and

Fig. 6 shows'the device in a working posi tion, as in a mine, and with a nection to the track.

"The invention relates to a switch and insulating device whereby various sections or branches of a trolley wire system may be connected to and cut off from the source of current supply and connected to or cut off from other sections or' branches of the trol:

ground con-.

ley wire'system. The inventionprovides such a device which is adapted to be placed device. In certain of its aspects, the invention is especially designed to meet workdirectly in the trolley wire or. circuit, the I W runninedirectly along and'pa'st the ing conditions in mines and elsewhere, and

also tofmeet the requirements of legislation directed to matters of safety, workmens compensation, and like subjects.

" The invention in certain of its features is also directed toprovide an interchangeable device, that is,"one in which the parts may be substituted'end' for end, that is, where they may be left handed or right handed at will as desired,withoutdisturbing'the mounting of the d'evice,or when it i is desired to change the location of. the device.

it is prescribed by law or is customary to carry the trolley at or near oneside, of

the'tr'ackway, and to require or'to'have the switch operating on the side of the device toward the track, both as a matter of safety In certain states, and in (Ken I tain classes of work, such as mme work, y I

advantages of the invention'will be pointed out in connection withthedetaileddescription of the present preferred embodiment.

spaced apart trolley wire terminals and the Referring now in detail to the embodiconnecting and disconnecting switch is provided, which is of wood, fiber or other-insulating material, and is adapted to be supported from a mine roof or wall, or other convenient supportad ac ent to its location.

Such insulating support 1 serves as the supporting and posltioning means for the adjacent ends or terminals of two sections" of the trolley wire, with an air gap between the terminals, and for a switch'carried movable to open and to close the circuit past said gap in the trolley wire or circuit.

The insulating support 1 is fastened to J.

its supporting means in' anysuitable or con venient mannerfandv as embodied a bifurcated lug or bracket 2 tits on the top or back of support 1 and has plates or arms 3 and 4; extending downwardly upon either s'ide body 1 to fasten them together.

' bracket is internally screw-threaded, as at 7, to take the screw-threaded shank of an expansion bolt '8 or other suitable fastening device, which is secured to the mine roof or other suitable support.

Referring now to the terminals of the trolley wires or circuit mounted upon the insulating support 1, the two terminals, separated by the air gap may be the same or similar in form and construction, and a single description will suffice therefor. Each of the terminals 10 has a flat surface 11 adapted to fit against a face, preferably the bottom face, of the support 1, which support is preferably of rectangular shape. The terminal is provided with an end shoulder12, which projects past the end of the support 1 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5), to position the terminal longitudinally with respect to the support 1 and to prevent longitudinaldisplacement thereof with respect to the support.

The terminal 10 is likewise provided with means for preventing transversal or sidewise displacement thereof with respect to the insulating support 1, and as embodied, a series of lugs 13, shown as two in number on either side of the terminal 10 receive the support 1 between them and project past the corresponding edges and along the corresponding sides of the support 1, to prevent swiveling or lateral displacement of the terminal as stated. Means are provided for attaching t 1e terminal- 10 to the support 1, and as embodied, screw bolts 15 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) pass through the insulating support 1, and are in screw-threaded engagement with internally screw-threaded holes 16 formed in the terminal 10.

The two terminals 10 are mounted. upon the same face or side of support 1, and are held in permanent position relatively to each other upon the support withoutdanger of displacement, and vith an insulating air gap between their adjacent ends. The adjacent ends of the terminals 10 are transversely and parallelly beveled relatively to the length of the device, the forward end of one terminal 10 extending past the rear end of the other, considered transversely of the support 1, as shown at 17, thereby providing a continuous and smooth track for a passing trolley. The terminals 10 are shaped to fit more or less closely the trolley wheel or shoe, toprovide a track and guide for the trolley, and to facilitate its easy passage from the trolley wire to a terminal, from one terminal to another across the air gap, and thence to the other trolley wire.

As. embodied, the terminals 10, respectively, are adapted to receive the trolley section from their outer ends toward their inner ends.

Referring now to the details of construction of the switch which makes and breaks the trolley circuit past the insulating terminals 10, in accordance with certain fea tures of the invention, and as already indicated, the switch is reversible end for end. As embodied, the switch is positioned on the side of support 1 and is provided with a blade 24, having a handle 23, preferably inclined outwardly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as a matter of safety and convenience. One end of blade 24 passes between, and is pivotally mounted upon two terminal plates 25 and 26, spaced apart to receive the switch blade therebetween in the usual manner, which plates are supported by and electrically connected to one of the trolley termi nals 10. As embodied, the plates at their inner ends are formed to contact together, face to face, and lie within a corresponding shaped recess 29 in the inner face of termi 11:11 10 to make electrical contact therewith. At their said inner contacting ends the plates are apertured to receive a screw bolt 2?, which is screw-threaded into a hole 30 in the body of the terminal 10, the head of the bolt resting within a cut-out or recessed portion in the face of the supporting insulater 1.

This construction is shown in Fig. 4- for the corresponding pair of plates at the other end of the device. The two pairs of plates are alternatively used as the pivotalsupport for the switch blade 24 or for the terminals which cooperate therewith to make or break the circuit.

For the pivotal switch mounting, plates 25 and 26, and also the blade 24 of the switch are apertured to receive a bolt 31, having locking nuts 32, and having also, preferably, spring washers '33 and 34, whereby the switch blade 2-1 is pivotally supported between the plates 25 and 26, and good electrical contact is maintained therebetween.

Ina corresponding position with respect to the other trolley terminal 10 there are two other plates 36 and 37, which in the illustrated arrangement constitute the switch terminals for the corresponding trolley terminal 10, the switch blade passing between the plates 36 and to close the circuit in the usual manner for knife switches,

1 ,aezec i This pair of plates 36 and 37, the pair-25 and 26, are interchangeably or alternatively used as either the pivot bearing or the cooperating terminals for the switch, as already referred to. The mounting and connections of the'plates 36 and 37 are the same as for the plates 25 and 26, already described, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. In plate 3.6, Fig. 1, is shownan aperture 39, there being a corresponding aperture in theplate 37, and these are adapted to receive the bolt 31, in the samemanner as is shown for plates 25 and 26 in Fig. 2, when the switch blade 24 is to be mounted reversely. In that case, the plates 25 and 26 would serve as the terminals with which the blade 24 would pass into and out of contact to close and open the circuit,

' as it does in the present arrangement with plates 36 and 37. 7

Means are provided for grounding the switch in the open position, and as embodied a contact plate 40 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) has a part 41 adapted to form close sliding contact with the switch blade 24 in open position, and has an angled part 42 contacting with and supported upon the side of the insulat ing support 1, the part 42 being apertured to receive a bolt 43 passing therethrough and into the insulating support 1. On the opposite side of the support 1 is a plate 44, having a part 45 resting against and supported upon the side of the insulating support 1, said part 45 being apertured to receive the bolt 43. The bolt 43 thus serves to support both the member 40 and 44 upon the insulating support 1, and also to form an electrical connection therebetween. The member 44 is shaped and apertured at 46 to receive a ground wire 47, which may be grounded to the track rail 48, as shown in Fig. 6. The ground wire 47 is preferably provided with a detachable connection, such. as a ferrule 49, making a tight but removable fit, within the part 46 of member 44. The ground connection is also reversible end for end of the device with the switch 24, and for this purpose, a bolt 50 is provided at the opposite end of the insulating body 1, whereby the members 40 and 44 may be shifted to the opposite end of the device whenever the switch 24 is changed or mounted in reverseposition.

Means are provided for locking the switch either in open or closed position, to guard it against accidental or malicious displacement, and as embodied each of the trolley terminals 10 is provided with a lug 51, having an aperture 52 through which may be passed a locking device which also encircles or otherwise eflectually engages the switch blade or lever 24.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying eled transversely to said support and substantially parallel to each other, the forward end of one terminal extending past: the, rear end of the other terminal, two switch ter-' minals one connected to one trolley line terminal and another to the other trolley line terminal, and a switch blade adapted to'be interchangeably pivotally mounted on either of the switch terminals and to cooperate with the other switch terminal to open and close the circuit.

2. A trolley circuit insulating and switching device including in combination an insulating support extending lengthwise of the trolley line, supporting means therefor upon nals spaced apart by an air gap and mounted the top side thereof, two trolley line termion said support and having their adjacent ends beveled transversely to said support and substantially parallel to each other, the forward end of one terminal eXtending-pa'stthe.

rear end of the other terminal, two switch j terminals one connected. to one trolley linel terminal and another to the other trolleyline' terminal, and a switch blade adapted to be interchangeably pivotally mounted on either of the switch terminals and to cooperate with the other switch terminal to open and close the circuit. 3. A trolley circuit insulating and switching device including in combination an insulating support extending lengthwise of the trolley line, two trolley line terminals mounted upon a face of said support and separated by an air gap the adjacent ends of the ter-,

minals being beveled transversely to the support and substantially parallel to each other, the forward end of one terminal extending past the rear end of the other terminal, means for preventing longitudinal displacement of the terminals with respect tothe' support to insure the maintenance of the air gap and a switch movable to bridge the air a A trolley circuit insulating and switching device including in combination an insulating support extending lengthwise of the trolley line, two trolley line terminals mounted upon a face of said support and separated by an air gap the adjacent ends of the terminals being beveled transversely to the support and substantially parallel to each other the forward end of one terminal extending past the rear end of the other terminal, means for preventing transverse displacement of the terminals with respect to the support to insure the maintenance of the air gap and a switch movable to bridge the air gap.

5. A trolley circuit insulating and switching device including in combination an insulating support, two trolley line terminals spaced apart by an air gap and mounted on said support, two switch terminals one connected to one trolley line terminal and another to the other trolley line terminal, and a switch blade adapted to be interchangeably pivotally mounted on either of the switch terminals and to cooperate with the other switch terminal to open and close the. circuit, and a ground connection for the switch when in the open position.

6. A trolley circuit insulating and switching device including in combination an insulatingsupport, two trolley line terminals spaced apart by an air gap and mounted on said support, two switch terminals one connected to one trolley line terminal and another to the other trolley line terminal, a switch blade adapted to be interchangeably pivotally mounted on either of the switch terminals and to cooperate with the other switch terminal to open and close the circuit, and a disconnectable ground connection for the switch when in the open position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRY n. co nAn. 

